'There has to be spirit of tolerance': SC won't interfere with Bombay HC order lifting meat ban

New Delhi: Holding that nothing should be thrust on a particular class, the Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed a plea against a Bombay High Court order staying the decision to ban sale of meat in Mumbai during Jain festival. “There has to be the spirit of tolerance and anything should not be thrust on a particular class,” the court said while noting that the High Court court order seems to be elaborate and that compassion for animals need not be observed only on festivals. [caption id=“attachment_2430442” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Representational image. Image courtesy: AFP[/caption] A bench comprising Justices T S Thakur and Kurian Joseph, however, allowed petitioner Shree Tapagachiya Atma Kamal Labhdisuriswarji Gyanmandir Trust, a trust of minority Jains, to approach the Bombay High Court with its grievances. “We make it clear that we have not made any observations on the merits of the case. It would be open for the petitioner to approach the high court which would decide the plea within a period of six months. Petition is dismissed as withdrawn,” the bench said. At the outset, the court expressed its reluctance to stay the order of the high court, saying, “Half-a-day has already gone.” Even good teaching cannot be forced upon others and people reap what they sow said one of the judges who cited a couplet of legendary poet Kabir.